Operation SafeHousehttps://operationsafehouse.org
Operation SafeHouseMon, 06 May 2019 18:47:20 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.10March Success Story – Riverside Transitional Living Programhttps://operationsafehouse.org/2013/03/19/march-success-story-riverside-transitional-living-program-2/
Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:38:43 +0000http://operationsafehouse.org/?p=321Bailey entered the Transitional Living Program (TLP) with a plan to obtain full time employment and work on her sobriety by entering into a healthy sober living environment. Bailey, a recovering addict, was diagnosed with attention deficit, post-traumatic stress, bulimia, and major depression. She joined the TLP working part-time as a receptionist for a doctor’s office.

Staff met with Bailey numerous times, encouraged vocational or trade school so she might be certified in a field where she could make a decent wage and become independent. She declined, however, and continued to search for other full time employment.

Bailey’s mental health and sobriety was fragile. She would face urges to binge/purge and was vulnerable to drug relapse. She needed outside resources, in collaboration with the TLP. She met with her psychiatrist weekly and attended support groups for her bulimia. Her growth and recovery seemed genuine.

Despite this success, Bailey’s mood and emotional stability changed. She was drinking again.

Staff decided that it would be good for Bailey to work part-time and enter out-patient programs that would assist her in a healthy recovery. She continued to be fragile at times and met with staff and her therapist twice a week. She began building a rapport with staff and her self-confidence started to blossom.

A short time later Bailey’s confidence started to crumble into vulnerability and she went into relapse mode. She was distant, defensive, and would skip her meetings. Staff encouraged her to attend addiction recovery meetings, but she refused.

Her relapse culminated in a missed curfew. Bailey did not return to the TLP complex until the next day. When she returned, she told staff that she was so drunk that she passed out and almost ended up in the hospital. Bailey claimed she could turn a new leaf and do what was necessary to continue at the TLP. She consented to AA meetings, but she remained in denial. She claimed her addiction was to methamphetamines, not alcohol. She claimed to have quitting drinking.

Bailey obtained a job at a local hardware store working over 30 hours a week and was able to quit her part-time job.

Despite this success, Bailey’s mood and emotional stability changed. She was drinking again.

She finally came to staff and let it all out. It took her a long time to realize it, but she was an addict: alcohol included. She wanted to get help.

Bailey got serious about recovery.

Bailey got serious about recovery. She attended AA twice a week and obtained a sponsor, at the request of TLP staff. She also agreed to enter vocational school to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Staff continued to work with Bailey and allow her to stay at the TLP because of Bailey’s honesty and genuine growth, even though it took so much time to show. She continued with school, AA and fulfilled everything required by TLP staff. She completed school and obtained a full-time job as a CNA.

Bailey learned to recognize the triggers that spiral her into relapse. She learned how communicate and reach out to people in her support systems when she felt vulnerable. She made tremendous progress.

When Bailey transitioned out of the TLP, she felt confident enough in her growth and development to live on her own.

Bailey continues to visit the staff at TLP. Sometimes when she needs a little extra help, she schedules an appointment with a counselor.

In light of all her successes, Bailey has decided to build on her education. She is currently in school to become an LVN.